William Scott Messer

Sources

1. BYUI student faces child exploitation charges, Scroll, May 28, 2026.
2. CR33-26-1114 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. William Scott Messer Defendant., Idaho Court Records, May 21, 2026.

• 1. BYUI student faces child exploitation charges

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  A BYU-Idaho Student, William S. Messer, 23, of Rexburg, faces felony charges of distribution of child sexually exploitative material following an internet Crimes Against Children investigation that began earlier this year.

  According to a press release from the Rexburg Police Department, detectives began investigating a CyberTip from the Idaho Attorney General's Office ICAC Task Force on Feb.11, 2026. Authorities executed a residential search warrant on May 20 at an apartment near West Fifth West and University Boulevard in Rexburg.

  Following the search and additional investigation, Messer was arrested May 20 and later arraigned May 21 in Madison County Court.

  Masser is reportedly facing two felony counts of distribution of child sexually exploitative material.

  The investigation involved assistance from the Madison County Sheriff's Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff's Office, Idaho ICAC Task Force, Madison County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and Idaho Attorney General's Office.

  In the release, Rexburg police said crimes involving the exploitation of children are taken “extremely seriously” and gave all agencies credit for their cooperation.

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• 2. CR33-26-1114 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. William Scott Messer Defendant.

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  Case Information

  CR33-26-1114 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. William Scott Messer Defendant.

  Case Number
  CR33-26-1114

  Court
  Madison County District Court

  Judicial Officer
  Boyce, Steven W

  File Date
  05/21/2026

  Case Type
  Criminal

  Case Status
  Active - Pending
  Party

  State
  State of Idaho

  Active Attorneys
  Lead Attorney
  Garvin, Adam L

  Defendant
  Messer, William Scott

  DOB
  XX/XX/2003

  Active Attorneys
  Lead Attorney
  Smith, Curtis Reed

  Retained

  Inactive Attorneys
  Attorney
  Archibald, R. James

  Retained
  Attorney
  State Public Defender-Madison

  Retained
  Charge
  Charges
  Messer, William Scott
  Description Statute Level Date
  1 Child Sexually Exploitative Material-Knowingly Distributes by any Means I18-1507(2)(d) Felony 05/20/2026
  2 Child Sexually Exploitative Material-Knowingly Distributes by any Means I18-1507(2)(d) Felony 05/20/2026

  isposition Events

  07/20/2026 Plea

  Judicial Officer
  Boyce, Steven W
  1
  Child Sexually Exploitative Material-Knowingly Distributes by any Means

  Not Guilty
  2
  Child Sexually Exploitative Material-Knowingly Distributes by any Means

  Not Guilty

  Events and Hearings

  05/21/2026 Video Arraignment

  Original Type
  Video Arraignment

  Judicial Officer(s)
  Hunt, David, Kirkham, Michael A

  Hearing Time
  1:30 PM

  Result
  Hearing Held
  Parties Present

  State: State of Idaho

  Prosecuting Attorney: Garvin, Adam L

  Defendant: Messer, William Scott

  05/21/2026 New Case - Criminal

  05/21/2026 Criminal Complaint

  05/21/2026 Affidavit of Probable Cause

  05/21/2026 Conditions of Bail or Release

  05/21/2026 Warrant/Det Order Issued - Arrest

  05/21/2026 Warrant Returned - Served

  05/21/2026 Sent to Pretrial Supervision

  Judicial Officer
  Hunt, David

  05/21/2026 Bond Posted - Cash

  05/21/2026 Notification of Rights

  Judicial Officer
  Hunt, David

  05/21/2026 Court Minutes

  05/21/2026 Notice of Hearing

  05/21/2026 Warrant Returned - Served

  05/22/2026 Order for Commitment

  Judicial Officer
  Hunt, David

  05/22/2026 Order Appointing State Public Defender

  Judicial Officer
  Hunt, David

  05/26/2026 Request

  Comment
  To Obtain Approval To Video/Audio Record, Broadcast or Photgrah a Court Proceeding

  05/26/2026 Notice of Assignment (PD)

  05/27/2026 Preliminary Hearing

  Original Type
  Preliminary Hearing

  Judicial Officer
  Hunt, David

  Hearing Time
  1:30 PM

  Result
  Hearing Continued

  05/27/2026 Order

  05/27/2026 Substitution of Counsel

  05/27/2026 Request for Discovery

  05/27/2026 Stipulation to Continue

  06/01/2026 Order to Continue

  06/05/2026 Response to Request for Discovery

  Comment
  Discovery Disclosure

  06/08/2026 Stipulation to Continue

  06/10/2026 Preliminary Hearing

  Original Type
  Preliminary Hearing

  Judicial Officer
  Hunt, David

  Hearing Time
  1:30 PM

  Result
  Hearing Continued

  06/10/2026 Order to Continue

  06/30/2026 Waiver of Preliminary Hearing

  06/30/2026 Preliminary Hearing Waived (Bound Over)

  07/01/2026 Preliminary Hearing

  Judicial Officer
  Hunt, David

  Hearing Time
  1:30 PM

  Cancel Reason
  Vacated

  07/01/2026 Order Waiving Preliminary Hearing (Written Waiver)

  07/02/2026 Stipulation to Continue

  Comment
  Arraignment

  07/02/2026 Order to Continue

  07/07/2026 Request for Discovery

  07/07/2026 Felony Information Filed

  07/15/2026 Supplemental Response to Request for Discovery

  Comment
  Supplemental Discovery Disclosure

  07/20/2026 Arraignment - District Court

  Original Type
  Arraignment - District Court

  Judicial Officer
  Boyce, Steven W

  Hearing Time
  09:30 AM

  Result
  Hearing Held
  Parties Present

  State: State of Idaho

  Prosecuting Attorney: Garvin, Adam L

  Defendant: Messer, William Scott

  Attorney of Record: Smith, Curtis Reed

  07/20/2026 Court Minutes

  07/22/2026 Notice of Hearing

  09/14/2026 Status Conference

  Judicial Officer
  Boyce, Steven W

  Hearing Time
  09:30 AM